2019-12-06
Esther 4:14 NKJV
Moses began his ministry when he was eighty. Esther started hers as a teenaged girl. When she heard the words of Mordecai – “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” – she could easily have said, “Give me time to grow up, get married, have children, and fulfill my dreams before asking me to put my life on the line to save the Jewish people.” But she didn’t. She said, “I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish” (v. 16 AMPC). Often what God does in you while you’re waiting is more important than the thing you’re waiting for. Sometimes you think you’re ready but God knows you’re not, so He puts you into the school of faith. That’s where you learn to listen to “the teacher” (the Holy Spirit), study your lessons, pass the tests, and graduate so that God can use you. It’s not a comfortable place to be, but God is more interested in your character than your comfort. Missionary Nancy Cockrell writes: “It was God’s plan all along to bring you here to serve Him, by using your gifts to minister to others – for such a time as this. He has given you the grace to reflect the love and character of Christ, to be a light in a darkened world – for such a time as this. You have a unique place of service in God’s kingdom, touching lives as only you can do – for such a time as this.” So here’s the question: Is God telling you today – your time has come?
Soul food: Col 3-4; Philemon; John 17:13-26; Ps 148:1-6; Prov 29:11-15
2019-12-05
John 14:12 NKJV
It’s good to read about what Jesus did when He walked among us. But when you see someone living the way He did, it’s called “putting skin on Jesus.” Instead of just being a historic figure, His lifestyle becomes a reality. And isn’t that what people are looking for? Gandhi once said if he could meet Christians who were like Christ, he’d become one too. Unfortunately, the Christians he knew carried weapons and subjected him and his people to servitude. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do.” Maybe you’re wondering how we could possibly do greater works than Jesus. Here’s how: He was one man confined to one place, whereas His redeemed family is capable of multiplying His works throughout the world. So what was Jesus like? For starters, He was compassionate, not condemning. Remember the woman caught in the act of adultery? When the Pharisees wanted to stone her, He said, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (John 8:7 NLT). Ouch! Who was Jesus talking about? The Pharisees or the religious hierarchy? No, He was talking about Himself! He was the only one without sin and He had no stones to throw! If you want to know what “putting skin on Jesus” looks like, the Bible lists these nine “fruits” (or Christlike qualities) that the Holy Spirit wants to produce in your life: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).
Soul food: Col 1-2; John 17:1-12; Ps 147:12-20; Prov 29:6-10
2019-12-04
Psalm 34:7 NKJV
Just as a president and a prime minister are constantly surrounded by security guards, as a redeemed child of God you are surrounded by angels. You may not be able to see the president or prime minister’s security detail, but just let someone make a threatening move and trained guards instantly form a protective shield around him. Dr. James McConnell, founder of Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in Belfast, Northern Ireland, was preaching one night during “The Troubles” (as the sectarian war was commonly called), when a paramilitary leader with a gun came into the church to kill him. Why? Because the man’s wife had become a Christian and her life was so radically changed that he hardly recognized her. The man only took a few steps up the aisle when he stopped dead in his tracks, turned, and ran out of the church. What happened? The man, who later became a Christian, testified that he’d seen two big angels standing on either side of Pastor McConnell! When Paul’s ship encountered a storm and everyone thought they were going to perish, Paul announced: “There stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid’…take heart…for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me” (Acts 27:23-25 NKJV). Today, you have a divine security detail watching over you.
Soul food: Josh 22-24; John 16:19-33; Ps 147:1-11; Prov 29:1-5
2019-12-03
Romans 12:2 NKJV
For a redeemed child of God, nothing in life should be more important than discovering and doing His will. But you have four options: (1) You can remain ignorant of it. Chances are this isn’t you, or you wouldn’t be reading this daily devotional right now. Clearly you have a desire to know God’s will for your life and He will help you find it (See Isaiah 30:21). (2) You can know it and choose to disobey it. Jonah knew God’s will, but he ran from it and ended up in the biggest storm of his life. What was his problem? He didn’t like the assignment God gave him. Is your problem that you know God’s will but you just don’t like it? (3) You can know it but settle for less. The truth is you can sing in the choir and serve on the church board, yet deep in your heart know you’re settling for less than God’s will. (4) You can settle for nothing less than God’s will. There are moments when God’s will seems too difficult, too prolonged, and too unrewarding. Your own ideas seem easier, quicker, and more enjoyable. In the end, you find that His plan was better than yours and there will never be an exception to this rule. So you may as well decide from now on to yield to God’s will, do things His way, and believe Him for His best. Today get down on your knees and say with the psalmist, “I delight to do Your will, O my God…Your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8 NKJV).
Soul food: Josh 19:24-21:45; John 16:12-18; Ps 2; Prov 28:25-28
2019-12-02
Romans 12:2 NKJV
The story is told of a man who lived on a beautiful farm. When he died, the property, which had been in the family for over 200 years, was sold to one of the neighbours. One day, the new owner was walking in a field when he noticed an odd-looking rock sticking out of the dirt. He took it home, washed it, and took it to a jewelry store. The jeweler confirmed what the owner already suspected. The old stone, which had been in the field for thousands of years, was a large, uncut emerald, and proved to be worth several million dollars. This gemstone had been in the field all along, waiting for someone to come along and discover it. Over the years, people had walked past it thousands of times and overlooked it, because it looked like nothing more than a common old garden rock. When we “discover” something, in actuality, we’re finding something that already exists even though we were unaware of it. Here’s the point: While many of us are seeking God’s will for our lives, often what we’re looking for is right under our nose but we keep searching because we don’t recognize it. To recognize a precious stone, you need to be familiar with its characteristics and know what to look for. Likewise, to recognize God’s will you must live by this Scripture: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” That calls for quality time reading your Bible, and talking with and listening to the Author.
Soul food: Josh 16:1-19:23; John 16:1-11; Ps 130; Prov 28:21-24
2019-12-01
Psalm 3:2 NLT
Have you been praying for years that God will save your husband, your wife, your children, or your friends? Does your heart long to see the people you love serving Him? Are you getting discouraged? Has someone told you, “You’re wasting your time. They’ll never change?” If so, read what the psalmist wrote: “Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill” (vv. 2-4 NKJV). Pay particular attention to the phrase, “many are they who say.” Everybody has an opinion, but until God speaks on the matter, the jury is still out! As long as He’s still on the throne and His promises are still true, keep praying and believing God for a miracle. “But they’re so far from God right now!” you say. They may be, but read this and rejoice: “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1 NKJV). Your loved one is not too far gone for God. They may be messed up on drugs and alcohol, having an affair, or even be in prison. Wherever they are today, the long arm of God’s grace can reach out and save them. Satan knows that and he wants you to get discouraged and give up. Don’t do it! Just as power flows through electric wire, God’s power flows through your prayers. So keep praying and believing God!
Soul food: Jer 31:31-37; Heb 8:1-13
